Synonym Chooser

How is the word different different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of different are disparate, divergent, diverse, and various. While all these words mean "unlike in kind or character," different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

When could disparate be used to replace different?

The words disparate and different are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

When can divergent be used instead of different?

Although the words divergent and different have much in common, divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

In what contexts can diverse take the place of different?

In some situations, the words diverse and different are roughly equivalent. However, diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

Where would various be a reasonable alternative to different?

While in some cases nearly identical to different, various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of different Disproven stereotypes about older individuals still persist, and many younger people don’t realize how different aging is today compared to their grandparents’ experiences. Katharine Esty, Contributor, CNBC, 16 Mar. 2025 Each one has a slightly different chemical structure.28 L-phenylalanine: L-phenylalanine naturally occurs in protein-containing food. Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Health, 16 Mar. 2025 Condon recorded at least 10 rebounds on 10 different occasions this year (including in big games against Tenn., Kentucky, Auburn and Alabama). Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025 Every player has different experiences with coaches. Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for different
Recent Examples of Synonyms for different
Adjective
  • Raising capital is more difficult for diverse entrepreneurs.
    Paul Klein, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
  • In South Africa’s Cape Town, at No. 4, locals love the coastal city’s diverse food offerings, particularly the seafood.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The man, who was hospitalized in critical condition, spoke with detectives on two separate occasions in February and March while recovering at a medical facility.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Executives of those companies pledged to invest an initial $100 billion and up to $500 billion over the next four years in the project, which will be set up as a separate company.
    Angela Yang, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Male sharks are also known to bite females during mating, leaving distinctive scars.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The robot features distinctive family-style star ring lights and customizable movements through simulation learning and continuous evolution.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Should Calipari get past Self, the rivalry between him and Pitino from their respective time at Kentucky and Louisville would be reignited in a must-see second round matchup.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Ellison was in the White House appearing alongside OpenAI’s Sam Altman and SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son, when the President unveiled an agreement between their respective firms that aims to expand AI infrastructure in the U.S.
    Robert Olsen, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite sounding the same, the sewing and cooking meanings may have distinct origins but evolved similarly in English.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Being a woman in the clothing industry in the late 1980s allotted Walker a distinct space in the global fashion conversation.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • But most importantly, understanding how the car behaves on various tire compounds under varying conditions is something that only comes with time.
    Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Ferdinand has more than 30 million followers across various social platforms.
    Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Connor Brown was the only other forward to have a positive Corsi forward percentage.
    Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • This training works to combat powder fever, sunk costs, confirmation bias, and other flaws that can lead to bad decision-making.
    Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • More research is needed to understand how different skin types respond to tallow, as existing studies use varied methodologies and reference points.
    Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Thanks to its vast, varied, and meaningful stories —Liu and Takeda have felt that things have changed since then...
    Tiffany Leigh, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Different.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/different. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on different

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